3 Things Women of Today Can Learn From Ruth
Marriage was far from Ruth’s mind because she had not too long lost her husband.
She was broken and wanted to hold on to the only sense of normality she had which was her mother-in-law, Naomi.
Ruth was a Moabite, which means she did not believe in the God of our salvation.
However, Naomi must have made an impact on her life so much that she stated in Ruth 1:16 “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.”
She was devoted to her mother-in-law, Naomi because in essence she was the only family she had.
This story has so many powerful messages, but we will focus on three main points that stood out to me and I pray will help you in your season of preparation.
Here 3 things that Boaz found intriguing about Ruth…
1) Ruth was Loyal.
It was custom for a daughter-in-law to leave her mother-in-law once her husband died or remarried.
In fact, Naomi begged Ruth and her sister-in-law to leave her and return back to their people.
However, Ruth stepped out of the normal tradition and decided she would remain with her mother-in-law, Naomi. She had no desire to return to her people.
She instead decided to follow Naomi as stated in Ruth 1:17, “Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”
***side note*** This is why it’s vital to live a life pleasing in God’s sight because you never know who’s watching and what impact you may have on their life.
Naomi became Ruth’s family and she remained faithful to her word by caring for Naomi.
Loyalty is one attribute many men look for in their future wife. They want to be sure they can trust you with their heart.
Boaz took note to Ruth’s loyalty to her mother-in-law and rewarded her greatly.
2) Ruth was a hard worker.
Since it was just the two of them, Ruth knew she had to work to take care of their home.
She went out in the field and asked the overseer if she could “glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.” Her hard work caught the eye of Boaz.
He wanted to know more about this beautiful hardworking woman gleaning his fields, so he inquired about her.
The overseer of the fields told Boaz, “…She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”
Ruth was not sitting around idle. She was busy working naturally while God was behind the scenes working things out spiritually. He watched her work day after day before he approached her.
Ladies here’s a little nugget for you, your future husband will watch you first before he makes a move because he wants to see who you are when you think no one is watching (your character).
He wants to see how you interact with others, your work ethics, how you dress, and how you treat those “who have rule over you”. And how you portray yourself on social media.
True men of God are attracted to the “GODliness” within you.
Ruth was not out in the field half naked twerking and flirting with man after man. She was busy working hard to earn enough to take care of her and her mother-in-law.
Sometimes we have to change our perspective before God can change our present.
3) Ruth was respectful.
After Boaz did his research, he then approached her and showed compassion and favor towards her.
Ladies when the right man comes into your life, you will know because he will treat you like the queen God created you to be. He will recognize the value in you without you taking off your clothes.
Boaz even protected her from other men in the field. He really cared about her.
When you know your worth, you will not just accept anything that comes your way, but you will wait on God’s best for you.
The way Ruth responded to Boaz showed how she felt about him. “At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:10-12).
Boaz adored Ruth. He admired her loyalty and dedication to her mother-in-law. He spoke nothing but blessings over her life.
God will send you a husband who cares about your soul and that will lead you to Christ not away from Him.
The rest of the story is like a fairy tale.
This poor girl from Moab marries a rich man and he takes care of not only Ruth but her mother-in-law, Naomi too.
The Lord blessed her to have a son, Obed, who is part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. God knows everything about you.
He has promised you that He will not withhold any good thing from you (Psalms 84:11).
Your future husband may not be a rich man riding in a white Maserati, but he is handcrafted by the very hands of God just for you. It’s easy to get distracted by the imposters.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-16).
Make sure you take time to evaluate their fruit (their lifestyle). Don’t just jump into a relationship, but take time to be friends first. Friendship is what is going to sustain your relationship.
Continue to seek God and WAIT for the man God designed for you. I am a living witness that God will bless you with your heart’s desire when you trust Him with your heart and place it in His hands. It’s not your job to look for your husband.
Proverbs 18:22 says: “HE (not she) who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.”
While you are waiting, work on yourself and ask God to reveal areas in your life that can help you to be a wife after God’s heart.
Ruth had no idea her entire life was about to change because she was busy taking care of business.
Consume yourself in God and enjoy this season.
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